Alice Tarjan Proves to Be Unbeatable in Two AA Championship Divisions

First down centerline in the Alltech Arena for the Grand Prix Adult Amateur Freestyle Championship, Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, N.J. (Region 8) and her nine-year-old Hanoverian mare Candescent (Christ x Farina by Falkenstern II) set a whopping score of 77.775% that could not be caught to claim their third straight victory of this year’s US Dressage Finals, this time earning the Calaveras County Perpetual Trophy (presented by Olva Stewart Pharo).

Photo - Alice Tarjan & Fairouz Third Level AA Champions (Susan J. Stickle)

"Today was better than yesterday," said Tarjan. "As I've mentioned we've been trying to work on the harmony and riding with less tension. I've got to encourage more confidence in the work, but today was good - she was right on my aids and holding herself together well."

Friday’s Grand Prix Adult Amateur Reserve Champion Kristin Herzing of Harrisburg, Pa. (Region 1) and her Hanoverian gelding Gentleman (Grusus x Rumpelstilzchen by Raphael, bred in the U.S. by Kathryn and Jeffrey Nesbit) earned their second reserve title of the week with 70.317%.

"So I got a new freestyle for Regionals with Paul Simon music that I loved, and Gentleman hated it!" she laughed. "We got in the ring and he wouldn't do it, as if saying 'this is not my jam!' He likes his routine, so for today I said 'I'll put on your music- whatever makes you happy,' and he said 'thank you!' I just live to make him happy, whatever it takes."

Alice Tarjan Earns Two Top Spots in Third Level Adult Amateur Championship
Already a three-time Finals champion this year at the Grand Prix level, Alice Tarjan of Oldwick, N.J. (Region 8) traded in her shadbelly for a short coat and promptly trotted right back down victory lane over a huge field of 35 rivals in the Third Level Adult Amateur Championship. Presenting two up-and-coming youngsters, Tarjan not only claimed top honors with her six-year-old Oldenburg mare Fairouz (Franziskus x Diva by Don Frederico) with 72.792%, but also Reserve with a score of 72.125% earned aboard stablemate Serenade MF, a six-year old Hanoverian mare (Sir Donnerhall x Duet MF by Don Principe) who was bred in the U.S. by by Maryanna Haymon.

"I brought my Third Level horses here for them to get some valuable experience in this type of environment," Tarjan explained. "They've never been to a facility like this, so I thought it would be a good prep for the future. They've both gone through the young horse program and are similar in that they are both solid horses with good gaits, but they're very different to ride. They all have their strengths and weaknesses."

Reflecting on her successful week, Tarjan was especially appreciative for all of the volunteers who donated their time so that riders like her could have a chance to compete. "God bless all the volunteers out there. Thank you so much!" she exclaimed. "It was a frigid couple of days, and the crossing guards have a really thankless job but without them you would be run over, so thank you to all of them for standing out there to keep us safe. All of the volunteers have smiles on their faces, and they are my heroes!"

Watch archived streaming videos of Championship classes on the USEF Network HERE. Championship competition resumes Sunday – follow the action through updates on the USDF Facebook page and the US Dressage Finals website, as well as watch live online streaming on the USEF Network. To learn more about the US Dressage Finals presented by Adequan®, download competition information, review day sheets and results, and read daily news releases, visit the official event website at www.usdressagefinals.com.